Related Conditions

Hydrops Fetalis in Children

Hydrops fetalis, or hydrops, is a condition that occurs when large amounts of fluid build up in a baby’s tissues and organs causing extreme swelling. Patients with hydrops fetalis are treated through the Thalassemia Program at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, an integrated pediatric hematology and oncology partnership between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Hydrops fetalis can be life-threatening.

There are two types of hydrops fetalis, immune and non-immune.

Immune hydrops fetalis is no longer common in the United States.

Non-immune hydrops fetalis occurs in one of every 1,000 births in the United States.

Hydrops fetalis can be diagnosed before or after birth.

Treatment of hydrops fetalis depends on its cause.

About half of unborn babies with hydrops fetalis do not survive.

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